Question:
I have been a smoker for years, when should I quit smoking for the surgery?

   — Pam W. (posted on June 21, 2002)

June 21, 2002
NOW!!! There is no time like the present... Don't put off for tomorrow what you could do today... Enough with the cliche's. I'm sure you know how unhealthy cigarette smoking is and even if you were not having WLS you should try to quit. Smoking claimed the life of my mother 1 year ago (6/8/01) and without coming off as preaching, I try to encourage smokers to quit. I know it is much easier said than done. It is an addiction and not easily broken. I don't know how your health is otherwise but it could only improve with WLS and by quitting smoking. After my mom's passing, my aunt quit by wearing the patches. It took her 3-4 weeks and she has been "tobacco free" since 12/31/01!!! I don't believe it will be easy, but I know it will sure be worth it. I feel like having WLS is great incentive to stop smoking forever. If you are going to be losing weight and getting healthy, why not go for the ENTIRE package?!! You will be in my prayers! Be blessed!
   — Nanette H.

June 21, 2002
This question has a tricky answer. For those that have not smoked they say NOW there is never a better time, like the previous poster. (No Offense what-so-ever it must be tragic losing someone like that) However, when one has smoked for over 10 years (me) it is a lot harder to quit. I was told by the surgeon that NOW is good (BUT) absolutely 14 days prior to surgery to be completely smoke free or the anesthesia, could have adverse affects, as well as if you have smoked a while to get that flem yuck outta your throat, cuz I hear coughing is a PAIN! The longer you choose to wait the more it MAY hurt in the long run, Just try your hardest. I have had serious attack of the munchies. I bought a couple bags of lemonhead suckers, and everytime I would usually go to smoke I pop a sucker, it helps take the craving plus its sour so it makes you pucker, and after a while you really get sick of em. It worked great the last time I quit. I am a month out from surgery, this is the fifth time to be scheduled for it so everytime it gets cancelled I go right back to smoking. I quit today AGAIN (Hopefully for good this time). Good luck!
   — angel_wls

June 21, 2002
At my first consult with my doctor, it was a group meeting, and he told us that he won't operate unless you've been smoke-free for 6 months. There was one woman who was not a happy camper. I guess check with your surgeon to see what he requires. I've never smoked, but took care of my mother who died of lung cancer. Please, please quit. You don't want your family to see you die that way. Good luck. Take care.
   — crawford1213

June 21, 2002
Hi Pam, I smoked for 30 years, 2 packs a day. When my surgeon said to quit smoking, I did not, I thought I could continue to smoke and he wouldn't no. Well he ordered a pulmonary function test and blood gases, well they showed I was still smoking. So I had to wait another 2 months until I really quit to have surgery. Its not easy, but with alot of prayers and chewing gum I am now14 weeks a non smoker, and I will never smoke again, ever. I feel so good now, not coughing up crap and I can breathe. I still haven't had my surgery but its coming soon. And I know I will do great, since smoking is behind me.
   — Gale G.

June 22, 2002
Hi, When I was in the hospital there was a man that coughed and wheezed and spit all day and all nite. It was awful! I used to smoke, not very much, but I could put them down and did. My husband smoked and when he heard that man and after I said I couldn't bear listening to him go through something like that if he ever had surgery, he put them down and hasn't had one since. It's been hard, but he heard the man too. Oh, awful isn't a strong enough word. You wouldn't want to go through that! Please consider quitting all together. You're getting a new body, why not keep it clear? You'll feel Much Better! Good Luck!
   — Jean W.

June 22, 2002
I had my consultation on April 3rd. That day my Dr. told me I would have to quit. I have been a smoker for 16 yrs. I never would have thought in my life I could quit, but this surgery means everything to me. It is a whole new beginning for me. I quit that day (April 3rd) haven't had any cigs since. The first 3 days were the hardest for me but still weren't as hard as I had expected. Even at work it wasn't to bad and I bartend and waitress....smokers everywhere. Now...even the smell of smoke is yucky to me. I don't say anything though, don't want to be one of those cranky ex-smokers..lol. Also, I got a little advise from a friend who quit years ago. When he quit he left one cigarette in the pack and put it up on a shelf in the house somewhere. That way if he had a smoke attack he would just look at that cig and say "NO"....my health is worth more to me than that one cigarette. I tried this and it worked great for me. My husband quit 2 days after me.......I think he was more cranky than me....lol. The first few days are the worst....get past them and you will be find....Good Luck!!
   — DRutherford

June 22, 2002
hi, i'm 22, and smoked for several years. i smoked until the day of my surgery and regretted it. i am now 3 weeks out and happy, but felt a deep heaviness in my chest that made me go to the emergency room one week after surgery, everything was fine, but i know it was the smoking. I really would just quit now if you can! In the hospital i coughed up blood and breathed very shallow, the nurses were on my case 24-7 to breathe better. I know the recovery would've gone much smoother had i quit months earlier, so I think it would be better if you could stop, i know how hard it is. But now, honestly, i don't even want a cigarette, i feel so much healthier, it;s great! goodluck to you!! :)
   — Lezlie Y.

June 22, 2002
Well, let me chime in here. I have smoked on and off (mostly on) since I was about 17 years old. As of this writing I am 38. Now let me be absolutely clear... I LOVE a good cigarette. I will always love a good cigarette. Hell, I may even take a puff off a friends cig if given the opportunity. I have probably several thousand dollars worth of hand made, silver inlaid pipes hanging from my wall in my office. I love the smell of my pipe tobacco too (which I may continue to enjoy ocassionally since it is not inhaled like cigarettes). I decided to quit cigarettes. My reasoning was that I am going through what I consider a -very- drastic move to extend my life, health, mobility, and happiness. Why would I want to go through all that and then kill myself with cigarettes? I love em, but I know they are bad for me, so I have made the decision to give them up in favor of WLS. At one point I was smoking 3 packs a day. I can't continue that, just like I can't continue to eat the way I have been. I want the day I roll out of the OR to -truely- be the the first day of a new, healthy life. I just don't see how my cigarettes can be part of a healthy life. I can't tell you how mad I would be with myself if I had surgery, lost 200 pounds, got healthy, and then died from lung cancer. It's like a lover that you know is bad for you. You will never stop loving them, but sometimes you have to decide that they can't be part of your life anymore because it really is for the best, and every smoker knows this down deep. I do, and I love the stuff more than anybody.
   — Greg P.